Kelseyville pizzeria owner reports quarter machine stolen

KELSEYVILLE -- The owner of Guido's Pizzeria came to work Wednesday morning to find a coin machine, along with the estimated $400 worth of quarters inside it, was stolen overnight.

"They knew it was here," owner McKee Somerville said.

The theft took place sometime between 9 p.m. Tuesday and 8 a.m. Wednesday, according to Somerville.

She said she initially noticed the cash register was tampered with and then saw the backdoor was pried open. When she went into the arcade room, the quarter machine was gone.

Because of the circumstances of the theft, Somerville said she believed the culprits were familiar with the Kelseyville pizzeria. "They knew how to turn off the power, and they knew where the quarter machine was."

Somerville thought at least two people were involved because the machine weighed more than 200 pounds.

Additionally, the change machine had just been filled with quarters from the arcade games Tuesday afternoon, according to Somerville.

The machine was found emptied, badly damaged and dumped in downtown Kelseyville early Wednesday morning, even before Somerville reported the theft to the authorities.

The break-in at her pizzeria, when coupled with other recent incidents, made Somerville question whether the town is safe. Guido's is less than a block away from the Mt. Konocti 76 Station, Store 24 -- the site of a fatal armed robbery Jan. 18.

"It's scary," Somerville said. "We're a small enough community that we should be able to lock our doors and feel safe."

She advocated for more Lake County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) patrols or the creation of a neighborhood watch program.

In the meantime, Somerville said she planned to offer a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the theft.

"We just need to watch out for each other because that's all we can do," she added.

The Guido's break-in remains under investigation, LCSO Lt. Brian Kenner said. Anyone with information about the incident should contact the department at 263-2690.